Seminar on Indian music

Renown musicologists, academicians and music researchers from across the world hold panel discussions and provide critique on the work and research of young scholars talk at three-day event at NCPA on the current state of Indian music.

The National Centre for the Performing Arts has for over 12 years been holding yearly music seminars that look into the current state of Indian music and where it’s headed. This year, the three-day event in association with the Indian Musicology Society (IMS) and ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) will see academicians and music researchers from across the world hold panel discussions and provide critique on the work and research of young scholars.

The first day of the event, today, will see as many as six scholars hold presentations on subjects including learning to improvise in Hindustani music and the genealogy of the bansuri in 20th century India.

“Besides the presentations by young musicologists, we’re also providing constructive criticism and guidance from stalwarts. This is essential for young researchers to lend focus and depth to their research,” mentions Dr Suvarnalata Rao, Head – Programming (Indian Music) at the NCPA.

The second day is about the three fundamental dimensions of music – melody, rhythm and language – in today’s context. There will be discussions on the principles of organisation and elaboration of various aspects of music, technologies and the media shaping influences on music.

The panelists include Richard Widdess from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, musicologist Wim van der Meer, professor of world music at the University of Amsterdam and N Murali, president of the Music Academy of Chennai and MD of Hindu group.

The seminar is free of cost and will start from 9:30am to 5:30 pm from January 21 to January 23 at the NCPA. Go to www.ncpamumbai.com for more details.